Tag Archives: satellite

Apr 21 2013

Video of FO-29 Amateur Radio Satellite demo at Wyong 2013

Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29

Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29

Murray Hely ZL3MH has uploaded a video by Bob Hudson VK2AOR showing a demonstration of a FO-29 contact made at Wyong 2013 in Australia.

The Wyong Field Day 2013 is the biggest Ham event in Australia and New Zealand. Mal Pizzey VK2MAL is on the Microphone and Murray Hely ZL3MH is on the other end at his home station in New Zealand.

On the down link Murray ZL3MH used a 20 element Yagi to a 70cm Cavity filter and a MRF901 pre-amp to an FT847. Uplink was a FT101ZD MK3 to a FTV250 Transverter and 11 element Yagi fully trackable.

Watch the Wyong 2013 video

FO-29 information https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/fuji-oscar-29-jas-2/

Getting started on satellites https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/radcom-getting-started-on-satellites/

Apr 14 2013

Amateur Radio Satellite Operation Planned From Inner Hebrides Islands

Camb-Hams Amateur Radio Van

Camb-Hams Amateur Radio Van

Members of Camb-Hams will once again activate the Isle of Mull (IOSA NH15, SCOTIA CN10, WLOTA 2485), Inner Hebrides, as GS3PYE/p between May 10-16. The Camb-Hams have been activating the Scottish Isles each year since 2008.

Look for thirteen operators to be active on all bands and many modes from 160-2 meters as well as 472 kHz. The HF bands will be covered by five simultaneous stations, while 6m, 4m and 2m stations will have a great take-off towards the UK and Europ from the island’s south-east coast in IO76 square.

Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29

Amateur Radio Satellite FO-29

They will have an antenna elevation system for 2m EME activity and will also be on many of the VHF/UHF satellite passes. WSPR beacons will be operating on most of the inactive bands to help find the best propagation. Contest operations will take place in 70 MHz CW on May 12th and 432 MHz UKAC on May 14th. The group will be active on the major social networks before, during and after the trip.

You can check on progress or interact with the operators via:

Blog http://dx.camb-hams.com/
Twitter http://twitter.com/g3pye
Facebook http://facebook.com/CambHams
YouTube http://youtube.com/CambHams

Previous trips have generated some great audio and video recordings of the GS3PYE/P signal from around the world. Check their previous blogs and their YouTube channel and see if you can post a better recording.

Please E-mail skeds-2013@camb-hams.com to arrange skeds on the more challenging bands and modes. VHF and EME skeds will also be made via ON4KST and N0UK’s EME Chat. All links are available via http://dx.camb-hams.com/

[Thanks to ANS and Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1107 for the above information]

Apr 8 2013

7330 km contact on amateur radio satellite FO-29

Hector CO6CBF making a 6955 km contact on April 3

Hector CO6CBF making a 6955 km contact on April 3

On Monday at 1338 UT Hector Martinez CO6CBF achieved a 7330 km contact on the amateur radio satellite FO-29 the furthest he has worked and close to the theoretic maximum for the satellite.

Hector, who is in grid square EL92sd, worked David, EA4SG in IN80cp on SSB. He used a Yaesu FT-817ND transceiver, 30 watt power amplifier, and a homebrew Arrow with a homebrew mast mounted amplifier. Everything was powered by two 12 volt, 7 amp gel cell batteries. Hector operated from on top of a tall building which improved his horizon visibility toward Europe.

Hector says “We had just a 88 seconds window. Satellites are always fascinating! Thanks very much to David for this great contact and new grid! ”

Hector is looking for other FO-29 contacts in the UK and Europe. His email address for skeds is: co6cbf at frcuba.co.cu

FO-29 information https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/fuji-oscar-29-jas-2/

First Cuba to EI contact on FO-29 https://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/04/6955-km-contact-on-fo-29/

Apr 7 2013

Ham Radio Satellite Launches in April

AMSAT-UK_Bevelled_LogoApril looks a busy month for the launch of satellites carrying amateur radio payloads.

April 17 – Antares-110 carrying PhoneSats v1a, v1b, v2a.
Dove-1 is also listed on this launch but it’s unclear if it’s using Amateur-Satellite Service frequencies.
http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/orbitalsciences-index.html
https://amsat-uk.org/?p=11544 (phonesat)

April 19 – Soyuz-2-1a carrying OSSI-1, BEESAT 2/3 and SOMP
Dove-2 is also listed on this launch but it’s unclear if it’s using Amateur-Satellite Service frequencies.
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/ossi-1/
https://amsat-uk.org/2012/03/28/student-cubesats-beesat-2-and-beesat-3/
https://amsat-uk.org/?p=16017 (SOMP)

April 20 – Vega carrying ESTCube-1 [Update now May 2]
https://amsat-uk.org/?p=14774 (ESTCube-1)

April 26 – CZ-2D from the Jiuquan Space Center carrying the Mode J (145/435) linear transponder satellite TURKSAT-3USAT along with CubeBug-1 and NEE-01 Pegasus
https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/turksat-3usat/
https://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/22/cubebug-1/
https://amsat-uk.org/?p=14689 (NEE-01 has a downlink in the USA 902 MHz amateur band)

Note: planned launch dates can and do slip.

Apr 6 2013

Rare Scottish Grid Squares on the Satellites

2E1EUB Portable Satellite Station

2E1EUB Portable Satellite Station

Paul 2E1EUB has traveled to Scotland to activate some rare grid squares on the satellites using the call 2M1EUB.

On Saturday, April 6, he posted on the AMSAT Bulletin Board:

Limited Internet…. .Lots of deep snow….I’m in the middle of the wilds [Grid Square IO87NC]

Hope to be QRV on AO-7 from IO97 latter in the week. I’m driving to this Square by request

Will also be on FO-29 for limited QSO, I’ll keep you posted.

Just driven 500 miles (800 km) so need a kip.

AMSAT Bulletin Board http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/maillist/

RadCom article Getting started on satellites
https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/radcom-getting-started-on-satellites/

Apr 4 2013

First Cuba to EI contact on the amateur radio satellite FO-29

Hector CO6CBF working Joe EI5EV on FO-29 2013-04-03 1440z_6

Hector CO6CBF working Joe EI5EV on FO-29 2013-04-03 1440z_6

Hector Martinez CO6CBF in Cuba has worked Joe Murphy EI5EV in County Kilkenny on FO-29 over a distance of 6955.1 km.

Hector writes:

Hector CO6CBF working Joe EI5EV on FO-29 2013-04-03 1440z_4

Hector CO6CBF working Joe EI5EV on FO-29 2013-04-03 1440z_4

I am pleased to report that on Wednesday, April 3 I had my first contact on satellites with Ireland.  Joe, EI5EV and I completed it successfully on FO-29. We had just a 66 seconds window but there was enough time to exchange reports and greetings. I believe that it is the first contact between Ireland and Cuba on FO-29! It is a 4321.7 mi (6955.1 km) contact!

Our first attempt was yesterday but Joe couldn’t find me on the passband. We made a schedule again and we tried to be more accurate on frequencies calculation. Doppler is always in play!

We did the calculations based on the great feature implemented on SatPC32 V12.8b. There is an  option of seeing the frequency you are at the satellite receiver.  This was our common reference point. I was very satisfied when I heard Joe exactly on the frequency I was expecting!

I was operating portable from a tall building `s roof which allows me a great horizon visibility forwarding Europe. I was running my new FT-817nd, a 30W power amplifier and a homebrew ARROW antenna with a homebrew mast mounted preamplifier. Everything was supplied by two 12V 7A Gel batteries.

Right Now, FO-29 has a big footprint. Please, if you are into the footprint and want to try a long distance contact, just drop me an email. I will try until complete a contact with you.

Thanks very much to Joe for this great contact!

73!
Hector, CO6CBF El92sd
Email: co6cbf at frcuba.co.cu

FO-29 information https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/fuji-oscar-29-jas-2/